Summer Night Markets

Experience the Magic of a French Summer Night: Soirées Gourmandes/Le Marche Nocturnes or Marches Gourmande in Southwest France

Imagine a warm summer evening in a charming French village—the sun dipping low behind the rooftops, the smell of grilled meats and sweet crêpes wafting through the air, and the sound of laughter and live music filling the cobbled square. Welcome to the Soirée Gourmande, a festive night market that’s a must-see for any visitor exploring the Southwest of France.

These vibrant evening gatherings, held weekly in many villages during the summer months, are a feast for all the senses. Long tables are set out under fairy lights, and locals and tourists alike come together to enjoy open-air dining, regional wines, and the simple joy of a summer night spent outdoors.

But it’s more than just food. While you’ll find mouth-watering specialties like duck confit, grilled sausages, and the inevitable pizza, there’s also plenty for sweet tooth’s: chichis (French-style churros), fluffy candy floss, crêpes with Nutella or local jam, and artisan ice creams.

Depending on which village you visit, some markets also offer plenty of unique treasures among the stalls—handcrafted jewellery, soaps made with local lavender, straw hats, toys, and souvenirs that reflect the character of the region.

As the evening deepens, live bands or traditional folk music often take the stage, and it’s not unusual to see dancing under the stars. It’s a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere—ideal for couples, families, or solo travelers looking to soak up the culture and charm of the French countryside.

So whether you’re there to feast, to shop, to people-watch, or simply to enjoy a cool glass of local wine in good company, a Soirée Gourmande offers a truly authentic and unforgettable summer experience in the South of France.

Just don’t forget your “Couverts” – Plates, cutlery, glasses and table clothes/napkins. Although many markets will offer your meal on paper plates/plastic/wood cutlery, it is certainly much easier to use your own crockery and cutlery. A point to note though, It is generally frowned upon (if not banned in some villages) to bring “picnic” baskets, with your own food and drink within. Trust me when I say walking back to the hard found parking space to deposit said picnic basket, and fizzy water, is a task you only want to do once!

The list below is not a comprehensive list, by any means. But it will be growing and evolving as and when this admin can pin down any other dates and places. (and testing many new ones that we find!)

Enjoy and bon soiree

Monday

  • Beaumont du Perigord – From June 30th to 1st September
  • Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne – From July 7th to August 28th
  • Biscarrosse Plage – From July 1st to August 31st
  • Castelnaud-sur-Chapelle
  • Couze-et-Saint-Front
  • Eygurande – From July 7th to August 28th
  • Hourtin Plage – From July 7th to August 25th
  • Labenne – From July 7th to August 25th
  • Lacanau – July 21st, August 25th, October 27th
  • Lanquais – July 7th, July 21st, August 4th
  • Mézin
  • Montignac-Lascaux – From July 7th to August 28th
  • Saint-Estephe
  • Sainte Mondane
  • Sainte-Alvère – August 25th
  • Sainte-alvere – July 7th
  • Sarlat
  • Talais – From July 15th to August 19th
  • Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains – From July 7th to August 25th
  • Villereal – From July 1st to September 8th

Tuesday

  • Arcachon – From July 1st to August 29th
  • Biscarrosse Plage – From July 1st to August 31st
  • Bouzic
  • Beynat – From July 8th to August 26th
  • Champagnac-de-Belair
  • Cuzon – From July 8th to August 20th
  • Coley-Saint-Armand – From July 7th to August 28th
  • Cublac – From July 15th – August 19th
  • Eymet – From June 24th to August 26th
  • Laparade – From July 2nd to September 3rd
  • Le Bugue – From July 7th to August 28th
  • Le Pizou
  • Mauzac-et-Grand-Castag
  • Monteton – From July 15th to August 26th
  • Nerac
  • Parentis en Born
  • Soulac Sur Mer
  • Tourtoirac – July 8th to August 26th
  • Varaignes
  • Villefranche du Périgord
  • Voutezac-Le Saillant – July 8th to August 26th

Wednesday

  • Arcachon – From July 2nd to August 27th
  • Aubas – From July 9th to August 27th
  • Belves
  • Biscarrosse Plage – From July 2nd to August 27th
  • Cancon – From July 24th to August 14th
  • Capbreton – From July 2nd to August 26th
  • Chartrier-Ferrière – From July 9th to August 27th
  • Francescas
  • Marcenais – From July 2nd to August 27th
  • Meilhan-sur Garonne – From July 3rd to August 27th
  • Meymac – From July 9th to August 27th
  • Monsegur – From July 2nd to August 27th
  • Monpazier – July 16th
  • Perigeuex
  • Roquefort –From July 19th and August 7th
  • Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin – From July 9th to August 27th
  • Saint-Geniès
  • Saint-Mesmin
  • Salles
  • Sanguinet
  • Sos – From July 10th to August 27th
  • Tonneins – June 12th, July 24th and August 21st

Thursday

  • Arcachon – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Auriac du Périgord – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Ayen – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Agonac – July 17th
  • Badefois-sur-Dordogne
  • Biscarrosse Plage – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Biron
  • Cadouin
  • Cadillac – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Chameyrat – July 12th
  • Duras – From June 26th to September 4th
  • Eymet (Parc Gabriel Forestier) – July 17th, July 24th and 31st, and August 7th
  • Fongrave – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Issigeac – From June 26th to September 4th
  • Lacanau Ville
  • Lamazière-Basse – From July 17th to August 28th
  • Lamont Joie – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Lavardac
  • Loubejac
  • Marmande – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Meyrals
  • Monbazillac – Soirée Paradizillac | Château de Monbazillac – From July 17th to August 14th
  • Monflanquin – From July 4th to September 5th (except August 15th)
  • Monceaux-sur-Dordogne – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Nontron
  • Saint-Cyprien
  • Sainte-Féréole – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Sarlat
  • Saint Léon-sur-Vézère – From July 3rd to August 28th
  • Verteillac
  • Villeneuve de Duras – From July 17th to August 21st
  • Villeneuve-sur-Lot – July 11th
  • Vigeois – From July 3rd to August 28th

Friday

  • Arcachon – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Biscarrosse Plage – From July 1st to August 31st
  • Brantome
  • La-Chapelle-Gonaguet
  • La Sauvetat du Dropt – From July 4th to September 5th
  • Le Buisson de Cadouin
  • Le Frechou – From July 5th to 6th
  • Le Mas d’Agenais – From July 5th to July 26th
  • Les Eyzies – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Levignac de Guyenne – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Ligueux – August 29th
  • Neuvic – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Peyrignac – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Pays de Vianne
  • Roquefort – June 28th
  • Salignac
  • Saillac – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Saint-Robert – July 7th to August 15th
  • Sigoules (Cave de Vignerons) – June 20th, 11th and August 8th
  • Valojoulx – From July 4th to August 29th
  • Vianne – From July 5th to August 30th (except July 26th)
  • Villefrance-de-Longchat – From June 27th to August 29th
  • Villeneuve-Sur-Lot – From July 19th to August 30th
  • Hourtin Port – From July 4th to August 29th

Saturday

  • Audrix – From July 5th to August 30th
  • Arnac-Pompadour – July 5th
  • Cosnac – June 28th
  • St.Pompon –
  • Saint Sernin
  • Sanguinet

Sunday

  • Agen – July 13th
  • Biscarrosse Plage – From July 1st to August 31st
  • Castillonnes – From July 6th to August 31st
  • Monclar d’Agenais – From July 14th to August 18th
  • Soumensac – From 11am July 6th to September 7th
  • Villeneuve-sur-Lot – July 14th